New Haven, Conn. (8/23/2012)  Post University has been selected as the favorite according to a vote by the men's soccer head coaches in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) 2012 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, the results of which were announced by conference officials on Wednesday.

The Eagles, who received a total of 127 points and four first-place votes, return 20 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 11-4-4 mark en route to the CACC  regular-season title.  Post was upended by Nyack 1-0 in the 2011 CACC Men's Soccer Tournament Final, in a match that went to extra time.  Post was ranked No. 6 in the final NSCAA East Regional rankings last season.

Nyack followed Post with 119 points and a league-high five first-place votes.  The Warriors return 13 players from last season's team that captured the 2011 CACC Men's Soccer Championship following a regular season that saw them post a 13-6-2 overall mark and 5-4-2 in CACC play, which was good for seventh place in the league standings.  The Warriors were slotted No. 5 in the final 2011 NSCAA East Regional rankings.  The Warriors are expected to be led by Felix Horn (Halle, Germany), who was one of just two sophomore named to the All-CACC First Team in 2011.

Bloomfield and Wilmington each finished with 112 points and one first-place vote apiece, to finish tied for third in the preseason conference rankings.  The Deacons return a pair of All-CACC second team performers from last season's squad, which posted a 10-7-1 overall record, which included a 7-3-1 mark in the CACC.  Bloomfield will have to find a way to replace the production lost from 2011 CACC Player of the Year, Terry Gibbs, who graduated following a season which saw him pace the conference in goals (18) and points (43).
 
Wilmington posted an overall mark of  8-7-4 and 7-2-2 in CACC play, tying them for second place in the league in 2011.  The Wildcats advanced to the 2011 CACC Tournament as the No. 2 seed but were upset 4-0 by No. 7 seed Nyack in the quarterfinal round.  Wilmington returns 17 letterwinners this season including three 2011 CACC First Team selections in Justus Henry (Vineland, N.J.), Kresimer Nurnberger (Zagreb, Croatia) and Eddie Kowalo (Darby, Pa.).

The remaining teams in the CACC Men's Soccer Preseason poll were ranked as follows: Dominican (106 points), Holy Family (75 points/one 1st-place vote), Philadelphia (66 points), Chestnut Hill (65 points), Felician (60 points), Caldwell (44 points), Concordia (31 points) and Goldey-Beacom (17 points).

CACC teams will hit the pitch to open regular-season play on Thursday, August 30 as five conference teams will be in action.  CACC league play opens on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

2012 CACC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll